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Now the animal was calm, Reuben had a much better chance of getting him out of the garden, but he still had to maneuver him, and he wore no bridle. Keeping a gentle hand on the horse and continuing to talk softly, Reuben eased out of his jacket and slung it over the horse. He bunched it around the horse’s neck and gave a gentle tug, using it as makeshift reins. His jacket might not be wearable again but at least Black Knight would be unharmed.

Gently, he directed the horse back to the paddock with lots of promises of treats and a vigorous ride. Once Black Knight was back in the paddock, he shook off Reuben’s jacket, flinging it into the mud.

Reuben retrieved it with a wry grin. “Thank you for that; it was my favorite.”

The horse gave him a dismissive look and moved away from him.

“I suppose that’s the thanks I get.” Reuben glanced back at his aunt’s house. At least there was one rowdy creature who would listen to him. Aunt Jean was another matter altogether. Still, once this woman arrived all would be much easier, he was certain of that.

Chapter Three

“Well, this is where we part, dear Sister.”

Angel peered out of the window of the carriage at the ramshackle house. Sizeable with tall chimneys and spread into three sections, the building was no Waverly Hall, but there was an air of old glamour to it despite its slightly neglected look. It had clearly not been updated recently, unlike her own family home that had been added to by their father and modernized many times. The gardens, however, were immaculate with neat lawns leading up to an unpretentious front door.

She glanced back at Seth, her stomach bunching, and grimaced. As pretty as the house was, it did not make her forget the reason she was here.

She had towork.

Two whole months of being a lady’s companion to a Mrs. Stone. Angel could not recall ever meeting any Mr. or Mrs. Stones so she hardly knew what to expect.

She leaned a little farther out of the open window and looked from left to right. That one look confirmed it. They were in the countryside—utterly isolated, away from any entertainment or interesting people. Worst of all, away from the Duke of Norwick. Just a few more weeks of flirtation and she was certain the handsome man would look to seek her hand. With all this time away from Town, he would surely be preyed upon by some other woman, and he would forget all about her!

“Angel, you cannot put it off any longer.”

She shot her brother a look. “While I appreciate you escorting me, Seth, you are a fine one to talk. Do you not have your own task to see to?”

He waved a hand. “My task is easy. I have plenty of time.”

“Time to ensure you have seduced every woman in London first no doubt,” Angel said dryly.

Seth’s taskwasthe easiest, though. All he had to do was find himself a wife within the two months. So long as he had proposed and the lady had accepted, his terms would be fulfilled. With his dashing looks and charming manners, Angel doubted he would have any troubles.

Oh, why could that not have been her task? For some reason, Grandpapa thought it necessary that she learn the value of hard work. What nonsense it was. She understood arduous work. Did he not realize that being a vital member of thetonwas exceedingly demanding? And trying to get the elusive Duke of Norwick to pay attention to her and only her was even tougher work.

A footman pulled open the door, and Angel let out a sigh weighted with regret that she felt all the way down to her slippered feet. Seth gave her arm a little shove, and Angel narrowed her gaze at him.

“I am going, I am going. Be patient.” She pursed her lips and tweaked the sleeves of her velvet spencer jacket, aware of Seth’s gaze upon her. “I am,” she insisted. “I just need a moment to gather myself. I fear this is going to be the most frightfully dull two months of my life.”

Seth took her hands in his and grinned. “I have no doubt you will fill these two months with as much fun as you can muster, just as you always do. Fun always follows Lady Angel Templeton, everyone knows that.” He squeezed her hands. “Now, let us meet these challenges head-on, get our inheritance, and show our family that we can rise to these trials.” Sethreleased her hands and set her with a grave look. “And let us not fail, or else the God-awful Mr. Hastings will get everything that he does not deserve and Theo will likely disown us after we have fulfilled his every doubt about his most demanding siblings.”

Her lips quirked. “That was surprisingly rousing. You should do battle speeches.”

“Now go, dear Sister, before I am forced to fling you from this vehicle.”

Angel leaned in to give him a quick peck on the cheek. “Choose well, Brother. You will be shackled to one woman for the rest of your life before long.”

“Worry about yourself, Angel.”

Stepping out of the door and down the step, Angel accepted her travel bag from the footman and gave her brother one last glance before straightening her shoulders and making her way down the graveled path toward this Kinden House. Tucked in the depths of Berkshire with nary a jot of entertainment to be found, she had to wonder what sort of a lady lived here. No one of consequence presumably, or else she would be in London at this time of the year.

With any luck, the lady she was to accompany was someone old and quiet who slept a lot. Perhaps it would even be good for Angel. She could do something…relaxing. Read a book perhaps. Or whatever it was the people did to pass the time when not dancing or gossiping with friends. She scowled. If only she’d asked Minerva what one did to pass time in the peace and quiet. Her sister was quite the expert on such matters, preferring to bury her head in a book than spend time with people.

Behind her, the carriage wheels rattled away. She didn’t look back. If she did, she feared she might dash after it and beg Seth to take her back to London.

She took in a long breath scented with lavender and that sort of fresh quality that one did not notice existed until outsideof London. Eyes closed, she tightened her grip on the travelling bag and nodded to herself. Perhaps Grandpapa did know what was good for her after all. A little time in the fresh air would do wonders for her complexion, and how much harm could some time away from the smog and noise of London really do? By the time she had returned, she would have a sizable inheritance and be fully ready to tackle the problem that was the reticent Duke of Norwick.

Yes. She let her lips curve. This would be excellent actually. She could get in touch with nature and go for rambling walks across hills and—